CBN.com - The season just
keeps getting worse and worse for Major League Baseball (MLB). Presented
with an opportunity to mend some fences with fans at last weeks All-Star
Game in Milwaukee, Commissioner Bud Selig further inflamed the situation
by stopping the Midsummer Classic after the 11th inning due
to a shortage of players.
This was evident in the reactions of the people in attendance. The
sellout crowd at Miller Park voiced their displeasure by chanting various
unprintable epithets while tossing scores of bottles onto the field.
Many had spent upwards of $200 dollars per ticket to view what they
believed to be an important contest showcasing the Major Leagues finest.
And for the first 11 innings that is exactly what they got a grand
spectacle of hardball wizardry. However, the ending was nothing short
of a public relations disaster.
David Cuscuna, a fan who had traveled from Florida to watch the game
told the Associated Press, "They treated it like it was a meaningless
game. They are telling the fans this game doesnt matter. Not to mention
the $175 dollar face value for tickets. It sends a lot of bad messages."
In a season that has felt the dark undercurrent of steroid allegations,
the deaths of legendary broadcaster Jack Buck, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher
Darryl Kile, and legend Ted Williams, and the daily threat of a players
strike, MLB was hoping to put the focus back between the lines. Instead,
they apparently darkened a divisionary line between themselves and the
fans.
But what could Bud have done to avoid such ridicule? Upon the recommendations
of managers Joe Torre and Bob Brenly, Selig was forced to make a knee
jerk decision as 42,000 fans in the stadium and millions more watching
on television looked on. Talk about pressure.
His decision, while certainly not the correct one, was not the wrong
one either. Declining suggestions from Brenly and Torre that included
a home run derby and grooving batting practice fastballs to hitters,
Bud opted to just stop the game.
The correct response could and should have been for Selig to take the
field after conferring with Torre and Brenly, explain the situation
to the fans, and then award the Most Valuable Player trophy to a player
from each team. While he still would have been subject to a fair amount
of criticism, over the course of time his honest response would have
been widely accepted by both fans and the media for its integrity.
Instead we were treated to a vague announcement from the public address
announcer with two outs remaining in the bottom of the 11th
inning. No explanation, no MVP award presentation, no ending. Thats
like flying on an airplane to Los Angeles and having the pilot come
on the public address system to announce that the plane will be landing
in Denver instead. The only problem is he does not offer a valid explanation
as to why. For good reason, there would be some very panicked people
aboard. Conversely, while announcing the sudden ending to a baseball
game is certainly not a life or death situation, it does create a confused
response. In this case, jeering and harsh feelings directed at Major
League Baseball.
Many would argue that the game is nothing more than exhibition anyway,
an opportunity to showcase some of the best athletes in their given
sport. Fans should just enjoy it for what it is. Why all the fuss? This
is ultimately true but try telling this to the thousands who ponied
up $175 dollars each to watch a game that has no outcome. Games are
to be played to their conclusion, exhibition or not. Without an outcome,
a game of this caliber takes on all of the luster of a glorified spring
training game.
Baseball, unlike any other sport has a responsibility to be much more
than that. In this tense new era of terrorism and uncertainty, America
needs to latch onto something that provides a sense of normalcy and
pride. Baseball is Americas game. Despite all of the unfortunate circumstances
that have clouded the game this year, MLB had a golden opportunity re-stake
its claim on the American consciousness through the All-Star Game. Instead
they gave themselves yet another black eye.
Maybe you are in a similar situation in your own Christian walk. Despite
a desperate effort to live by principles of faith, you can never seem
to quite live up to the standards set forth in the Bible. Like Major
League Baseball, as hard as you try to make things better, you continue
to be on the receiving end of several "black eyes." You feel
like you are constantly letting God down due to your love affair with
what the world has to offer you. It is a never-ending battle that you
can never seem to overcome completely. However, there is hope.
In the book of Psalms, King David writes, "Remember, O Lord; your
unfailing love and compassion, which you have shown from long ages past.
Forgive the rebelliousness sins of my youth; look instead through the
eyes of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord
is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who
go astray. He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way."
(Psalm 25:6-9)
There is no denying that God will help you through any situation. All
you need to do is reach out to Him, ask for forgiveness, and live by
His leading. As much as you may not like yourself as a person, or a
situation you have created, you must accept His love unconditionally.
The results will be tremendous.
Tell
me what you think
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.